Rheem PROG50-42P RH67 PV 50-Gallon Propane Power-Vent Water Heater

A propane power-vent option with 48 gallons of rated storage

The Rheem PROG50-42P RH67 PV is the propane (LP) version of the Professional Classic 50-gallon power-vent water heater. It combines stored hot water with a 42,000 BTU/h burner and a powered exhaust blower. The blower sends combustion gases outdoors through the approved vent; the heater still takes combustion air from the installation space.

When reviewing an LP replacement in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter or nearby communities, WHE checks the propane system and the proposed vent together. A matching gallon size is only one part of selecting a replacement: fuel delivery, power, service access and the household’s busiest hot-water period also matter.

Verified performance for PROG50-42P RH67 PV

Rheem’s exact model row lists 48 gallons of rated storage. The 78-gallon first-hour rating includes hot water delivered with burner recovery during the test; it is not the tank volume. We use storage, recovery and the timing of showers, laundry and tub filling to assess suitability. Actual delivery depends on incoming water temperature, settings and use.

Measure the blower height as well as the tank

The tank is 58 inches high and 21¾ inches in diameter, but the height to the top of the power-vent assembly is 66⅜ inches. Using only the 58-inch tank measurement can overlook the space occupied by the blower.

Rheem lists ¾-inch water connections on 8-inch centers, a 14-inch gas-connection height and a 52½-inch side relief-valve connection height. Shipping weight is 170 pounds. WHE also allows for the actual vent connection, water piping, required clearances, drain pan where applicable, relief discharge and access to service the blower, gas control and anode. Shipping weight is not the filled operating weight.

LP supply and electrical requirements

WHE reviews the propane tank supply, regulator arrangement, available pressure and piping capacity for this heater’s 42,000 BTU/h input, alongside other appliances. The heater’s ½-inch gas connection is a connection size, not a complete instruction for sizing the propane supply line.

The blower and controls require electricity. Rheem specifies 120 VAC; the manual lists 50/60 Hz and an approximate maximum current draw of 5.0 amps. A properly grounded connection is required. Where a cord connection is permitted, the manual calls for the supplied cord and a grounding receptacle, with no extension cord. WHE checks the connection method and applicable requirements for the job.

This heater cannot continue heating during a power outage, even when gas is available. Its fuel-specific counterpart is the PROG50-42N RH67 PV natural gas model. Both have the same listed capacity and delivery ratings, but Rheem warns against converting the heater between gas types. The installed unit must match the fuel on its rating plate.

Power-vent routing, combustion air and condensate

The US manual identifies this as a Category III appliance. It supports horizontal or vertical exhaust arrangements using the specific PVC, CPVC or ABS materials permitted by the manual. It uses indoor combustion air, so the installation still needs suitable air provisions; this is not a sealed-combustion direct-vent model.

At elevations through 2,000 feet, the current specification sheet and manual list a 7-foot minimum equivalent vent length, with maximums of 55 equivalent feet for 2-inch vent or 150 equivalent feet for 3-inch vent. Equivalent length accounts for fittings, so the maximum is not simply the straight-line distance to an outside wall. WHE checks diameter, fittings, approved termination, clearances and the complete route against the instructions for the supplied unit.

An existing atmospheric vent or an older power-vent installation needs a compatibility review before reuse. Vent condition, material and support all matter. The manual also calls for condensate management in installations where vent routing and environmental conditions produce enough condensation to require it. We review that need rather than assuming every installation needs the same drain arrangement.

Hot enclosed locations need an additional ambient-temperature review. Rheem’s linked specification sheet and manual differ in their upper temperature limits for the optional high-temperature kit; WHE confirms the applicable equipment instructions with Rheem before proposing that application. The manual excludes manufactured/mobile-home installations.

Compare tall and short Rheem power-vent models

The 40-gallon LP model is narrower but two inches taller at the assembly. It also holds less water and has a lower first-hour rating. The short 50-gallon model trades height for a wider footprint. It has the same 78-gallon first-hour rating but lower published recovery: 32.4 GPH at a 90°F rise, compared with 42.4 GPH for this tall model. Those differences help WHE match both the space and repeated hot-water demand.

The similarly named RH PV AX models are separate versions with installed side water connections and different assembly dimensions. We verify the complete model number rather than applying AX details to this RH67 PV guide.

Maintenance and limited warranty

The anode, brass drain valve and sediment-control features support serviceability, but they do not eliminate maintenance. A filter-free combustion system still needs the inspections described in the manual. WHE considers vent and blower condition, sediment, anode access, water pressure, thermal expansion and relief-discharge routing during a service or replacement review.

Rheem lists a six-year limited tank and parts warranty. The linked certificate applies to the original owner, is not transferable and specifies six years for a single-family dwelling, with a shorter one-year term for other applications. It excludes labor for service, repairs and reinstallation, among other costs. Optional ProtectionPlus tank extensions are separate from standard coverage. The applicable certificate and the written estimate should be reviewed for equipment terms and any separate installation coverage.

WHE confirms equipment availability and installed price for the proposed job after reviewing the site and scope.

Manufacturer references: Rheem PROG50-42P RH67 PV product page, May 2025 specification sheet, 05.25-RH-PRO-PV-SS, US use and care manual, AP22511 Rev. 02 and six-year warranty certificate, AP16826-1. The product page retains older series-wide 0.65 UEF and 100-foot vent wording; this guide uses the exact model’s 0.68 UEF and the current specification/manual vent tables. The photo is Rheem’s shared power-vent series image; appearance may vary.

PROG50-42P RH67 PV frequently asked questions

Request a WHE propane (LP) power-vent estimate

Text the current model label and photos of the tank, blower, vent route, gas connection and electrical outlet to 561-602-9062. WHE can review gas water heater replacement options and the work needed for the installation. Use the estimate button above to begin your request.